Comparison of different liquid chromatography stationary phases in LC-HRMS metabolomics for the detection of recombinant growth hormone doping control

Growth hormone (GH) is a polypeptide suspected of being used in horse racing to speed up physical performances. Despite scientific advances in the recent years, the control of its administration remains difficult. In order to improve it, a metabolomics study through LC-high resolution mass spectrometry measurements was recently initiated to assess the metabolic perturbations caused by recombinant equine growth hormone administration. Few tens of ions not identified structurally were highlighted as compounds responsible for the modification of metabolic profiling observed in treated animals. This previous work was based on the use of Uptisphere Strategy NEC as the chromatographic column. In parallel, more and more metabolomics studies showed the interest of the use of new chromatographic supports such as hydrophilic interaction chromatography for the analysis of polar compounds. It is in this context that an investigation was conducted on Uptisphere HDO and Luna hydrophilic interaction chromatography stationary phases to generate and process urinary metabolomics fingerprints, which could allow to establish a comparison with Uptisphere Strategy NEC. The chromatographic column the most adapted for the detection of new biomarkers of GH administration has been used to set up a relevant statistical model based on the analysis of more than hundred biological samples.